Rehabilitation of Flax Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 168, 17 July 1937, Page 9

Rehabilitation of Flax Industry

OUTLINE OF PROPOSALS AUCKLAND, July 15. Amended plans for tho rehabilitation of the flax industry in New Zealand, devised by the Bureau of Industry and special committees of millers and growers, have been forwarded to flaxmillers. The scheme was well received at a j meeting of those interested held ia j Auckland recently, and a vote is to be taken throughout New Zealand to I decide whether the plan will be adopted. The proposals were outlined at th# meeting. Mr A. L. Stedman presided, 'and Mr F. Johnson, deputy-chairman of , the bureau, and Mr C. M. Bowden, one of the special manufacturers’ representatives on the bureau, both of Wellington, attended. It was stressed that the administration of tlio plan would be under tho control of an industrial committee consisting of representatives of the growers, millers, flax workers, manufacturers, merchants and the Government. The committee would be appointed by the Minister of Industries and Commerce from nominations made by those roncerned or engaged ia the industry. Meetings in the South. Voting papers have already been circulated. In accordance with tho provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936, a vote of 50 per cent in favour is necessary to ensure the adoption of the plan. Further meetings have been arranged to take place iu Foxton, Wellington and Invercargill. A continuance of Government assistance, by a subsidy for five-year period* on fibre exported, is one of the main features. The subsidy may be reviewei within the period and adjusted if necessary, having regard to the cost of production of reasonably efficient mills, a reasonable margin of profit, and market prices. A system of licensing flaxmilU is proposed. An immediate advisory service for flaxmillers, to be established by the ( Government, to make available to flax millers up-to-date information in regard to improvements in methods and machinery for processing flax, is included. [There is also provision for loan finance ( to the industry. The marketing of fibre jis to be under the supervision of the I committee. Domestic Textile Industry Government protection for the development of tho domestic textile InI dustry, by means of restricting importations of raw or manufactured material as occasion warrants, is provided for. It is also proposed to foster tho domestic manufacture of textiles and cordage from flax. Another clause covers tho control, if necessary, of the level of royalties charged on flax supplied to mills. | A properly-staffed and equipped research organisation is to be established, if the plan is adopted, to investigate (problems of cultivating, processing and [using flax. It is suggested that tho Government should establish an experimental commercial mill.